This is the second installment of March Madness teams to watch. It’s do or die time for NCAA college basketball teams as the end of the season and March Madness approaches. A single win or a loss can decide a team’s fate after a long, arduous journey. These are five teams expected to make some noise during conference tournament play before the NCAA Tournament.
California (21-9)
The Pac-10 has been an afterthought this season, but California is fighting for a spot in the Big Dance. Conferences like the Big East get so much attention on Selection Sunday that the Bears could be left out even if they are regular-season conference champion. Cal’s RPI (Rating Percentage Index) is in the mid-20’s and it came in one of the toughest schedules in the country. But, the Bears have no wins against teams in the top 50 and some bad losses. A conference tournament win should get them in and that would come on Thursday against either Oregon or Washington State.
Rhode Island (21-8)
The Rams were poised for a tournament bid a couple weeks ago but now find themselves in fifth place in the Atlantic 10, which isn’t good enough for an NCAA bid. They are 9-4 away from home and 2-4 against top 50 teams. The heartbreaking loss to UMass on Saturday came at the worst time but Rhode Island could make a run it its conference tournament. The Rams hosts Saint Joe’s tonight, which they pummeled earlier this year. After that is St. Louis and most likely Temple.
Illinois (18-13)
Illinois has quality wins over Vanderbilt, Wisconsin, Michigan State and Clemson but will need some more big wins to make a splash in the Big Ten Tournament . The Fighting Illini play Wisconsin for the second time on Friday and should get a bid with two wins over that team.
Memphis (23-8)
Memphis has shut a lot of teams out of NCAA Tournament bids and is no stranger to NCAA success. The Tigers finished second in Conference USA and are coming off big wins against UAB and Tulsa, which may have been enough for a tournament bid. Memphis has won the C-USA Tournament four straight years but was pounded by Houston two weeks ago. Memphis was knocked out in the Sweet 16 last year and no players from this year’s team scored a point in that game. A lack of big-game experience could prove costly in the Big Dance this year.
Quinnipiac (23-8)
Quinnipiac is one of the best teams you’ve never heard of. The Bobcats are 14-0 at home and host Robert Morris in the Northeast Conference title game on Wednesday. Justin Rutty is second in the nation in rebounding, as the Bobcats have outrebounded every opponent this season. Coach Tom Moore, an assistant under Calhoun at UConn for 13 years, will lead the team in its biggest game in program history on Wednesday but are likely to get knocked out in the first round of the NCAA Tournament.
For more NCAA basketball news, see 5 March Madness bracket busters.